PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between James Cole (ranked 752 p4p, 572 weight class) and Naoyuki Nakano (ranked 102 p4p, 79 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Cole
vs
Nakano

178 cm
32
170
15 - 8 - 2

172 cm
33
155
19 - 12 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Arcticus University: London
Conquer

Voodoo Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 8 - 2, fighting out of New York, James Cole!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 12 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Naoyuki Nakano!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Percy O'Donnell and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nakano turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Nakano blocks a head kick by Cole.
Nakano misses with a low kick.
Cole keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Cole thows a left - swing and a miss!
Nakano turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Nakano connects with a jab.
Cole connects with a solid leg kick.
Nakano feints and then cracks Cole's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Cole down.
Cole tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Nakano is looking to slow Cole down with leg kicks.
Nakano bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Cole throws a nice head kick!
Nakano tries a head kick but it misses.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nakano swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Nakano takes a jab right on the kisser.
Cole throws a body kick that misses.
Nakano wants to counter the offense by Cole and move into the clinch position.
Nakano circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cole misses with an uppercut

and Nakano counters by moving into the clinch.
Nakano holding his opponent close, against the cage.
The referee calls for Nakano to work.
Cole has a couple of punches blocked by Nakano.
Nakano stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Cole lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Nakano backwards.
Cole pushes Nakano back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Nakano misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Nakano slowing the pace effectively.
Nakano misses with a punch to the body.
Cole misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Cole misses with a hook from the clinch.
Nakano blocking some punches.
I was talking to Cole's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Cole tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Nakano effectively controlling the action here.
Nakano lands a shoulder strike.
Cole lands a right hand.
Nakano gets through Cole's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cole fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nakano blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Cole misses with a hook to the ribs.
Cole throws a punch but it's blocked by Nakano.
Cole lands a right hand.

It looks like Naoyuki Nakano has been cut.
Cole with a knee to the head.
Nakano presses Cole against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Nakano fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A right hand to the body from Nakano.
Nakano lands a shot to the body.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Nakano.
A bit of stalling here from Nakano.
Cole tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Nakano stalling against the cage.
A short right from Nakano.
A short right from Nakano.
Nakano is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Cole is keeping busy.
Cole stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Nakano misses with a punch to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cole misses with a body punch.
Nakano lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Cole.
Cole throws a punch but it's blocked by Nakano.
A left hand lands to the body for Cole.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Cole.
Nakano scores with a nice hook to the head.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Nakano creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Nakano lands with a short shot to the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Cole.
Nakano wants to stall.
Cole misses with a punch to the body.
Nakano trying to control the position but instead, Cole has worked for underhooks and has pushed Nakano into the cage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Nakano creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Cole makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Nakano.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Cole as Nakano tries to tie him up.
Cole tries a knee to the head but Nakano blocks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nakano misses with a punch to the body.
Cole has a couple of punches blocked by Nakano.
Cole has a couple of punches blocked by Nakano.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nakano holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Cole tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Cole lands a shoulder strike.
Nakano lands a body punch in the clinch.
Cole blocks an uppercut.
Nakano blocking some punches.
Cole lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Nakano makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Nakano misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Nakano misses with a punch to the body.
Nakano tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Cole's elbow.
Cole fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Cole misses with a punch on the inside.
Nakano is leaning against Cole and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Nakano avoids the elbow strike from Cole, against the cage.
Cole's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Naoyuki Nakano will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Naoyuki Nakano's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Cole takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Nakano tried to score with a low kick but Cole checks it.
Cole jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Nakano lands with a thumping leg kick.
Nakano lands a leg kick that knocks Cole off balance momentarily.
A leg kick checked by Cole.
Nakano connects with a high kick.
Cole throws a predictable looking body shot
and Nakano makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Cole steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Nakano. That one must have hurt.
Nakano avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nakano with the inside leg kick.
Nakano motions for Cole to come forward. Nakano throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
A good leg kick by Nakano.
Nakano dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Cole. That did some damage!
A kick lands to the mid section there for Nakano.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cole tries a head kick but it misses.
Nakano throws a wild body kick that Cole sees coming a mile off.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Nakano in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Cole is looking to clinch but Nakano is avoiding it.
Nakano chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Naoyuki Nakano seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nakano throws a body kick that misses.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Nakano.
A chopping leg kick lands by Nakano.
Nakano fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Nakano lands a nice looking kick to the body. Cole takes a step back to recover.
Cole with a hook.
Nakano lands a nice leg kick that just misses Cole's sensitive parts.
Nakano slips a straight right by Cole.
Nakano attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Cole misses with a right hand
and Nakano counters with a stiff right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nakano looks for the body kick but Cole saw that one coming.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nakano pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Nakano has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Nakano scores with a leg kick.
Cole ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Nakano pivots, looking for a leg kick but Cole is out of range and Nakano settles back down.
Cole throws a lazy right hand but Nakano sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A telegraphed right hand from Nakano misses the target.

Cole moves into the clinch successfully.
Cole blocking some punches.
Cole throws an elbow that misses.
Nakano tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Cole's elbow.
A hook to the body from Nakano.
Nakano goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Nakano softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Nakano blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Cole blocks a body shot from Nakano.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nakano scores with a shot to the side of Cole's head.
Cole tries to land a knee to the head but Nakano blocks with his arms.
Nakano tries a body shot but Cole blocks it.
A head punch on the inside from Cole fails to land.
Nakano tries a body shot but Cole blocks it.
Cole lands with a right to the head.
Nakano blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Nakano is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Cole goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Nakano is trying to maintain a safe position but Cole gets an underhook and turns Nakano into the cage.
Nakano lands a body shot.
Nakano is trying to maintain a safe position but Cole gets an underhook and turns Nakano into the cage.
A nice right hand lands inside from Cole.
Nakano digs a right hand underneath Cole's ribcage. Cole let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Cole fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Nakano works on Cole's body with a couple of short punches.
Nakano lands an uppercut.
Nakano lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Nakano stalling in the clinch but Cole improves position.
Nakano lands with a short punch from the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nakano scores with a hook to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A quick uppercut on the inside from Nakano.
Cole lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Cole.
Nakano is working Cole over against the cage.
Cole is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Nakano lands a hook that snaps the head of Cole backwards.
Nakano trying to control the position but instead, Cole has worked for underhooks and has pushed Nakano into the cage.
Cole swings wildly with an uppercut but Nakano uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nakano misses with a punch to the body.
Nakano effectively controlling the action here.
Cole swings wildly with an uppercut but Nakano uses good head movement to avoid it.
Cole blocking some punches.
Cole lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Cole lands a hook that snaps the head of Nakano backwards.
Nakano lands a hook that snaps the head of Cole backwards.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Naoyuki Nakano showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Naoyuki Nakano's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Nakano, as that shot connected.
A head kick misses from Cole.
Nakano lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

Cole moves into the clinch successfully.
Cole pushes off an throws an elbow but Nakano leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Nakano effectively controlling the action here.
Nakano is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Nakano.
Cole with an attempt at a knee that misses.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Cole.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cole misses with some punches.
A short right from Nakano.
Cole has a couple of punches blocked by Nakano.
Nakano fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Cole lands a right hand.
Nakano's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Nakano scores with a shoulder strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakano scores with a shot to the side of Cole's head.
Cole misses with a hook from the clinch.
Cole tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
With the fighters up against the cage, Cole throws an elbow but misses.
Nakano misses with some punches.
Cole lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Cole lands a nice shot to the body.
Nakano lands with a light punch inside.
A right hook to the body lands for Cole.
Nakano takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Nakano swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Cole using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Nakano has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Nakano tries to throw a body punch but Cole avoids it by throwing Nakano back against the cage.
Cole tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Nakano's elbow.
Cole lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Cole letting Nakano take a breather here.
Nakano lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Cole misses with a shot to the kidneys.
James Cole has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cole softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Cole scores with a nice hook to the head.
Nakano tries to throw a body punch but Cole avoids it by throwing Nakano back against the cage.
Naoyuki Nakano seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Cole blocking some punches.
Cole lands a hook to the side of the head.

Nakano is rocked!
Nakano struggles to land a body shot inside as Cole controls his hands.
Nakano is still on wobbly legs! Can Cole finish him?
Cole lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Nakano looking to slow down the pace here.
Cole creates a bit of space for himself and rocks Nakano with a big uppercut! Nakano tries to clinch up but Cole pushes him back against the cage and lands another monster strike that crumples Nakano to the mat! Nakano covers up and Cole unloads with more strikes until the referee steps in to end the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:30 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punches). James Cole!
James Cole bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.